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Vivo X500 Pro Max Brings a 200MP Periscope Zoom Overseas, India Launch Expected
Vivo's X500 series is on sale overseas. The Pro Max carries a 200MP periscope telephoto, and an India launch is reported for late November.
The Pro Max is the camera story
Vivo has taken its X500 series overseas after a launch event in the Canary Islands, and the headline spec is the 200-megapixel periscope telephoto on the X500 Pro Max. Periscope designs fold the light path sideways inside the phone body, which is how manufacturers fit longer optical zoom into a slim handset. My read is that the Pro Max is the model that gives this series its identity. The other two phones look more like a way to spread the same platform across different price points.
Vivo says the Pro Max also records video better, though the details available so far are thin. The phone pairs that telephoto with a 50-megapixel primary camera. I'd hold judgment on real-world zoom and low-light performance until hands-on testing shows how the sensors handle detail at range.
Three phones, three different trade-offs
The X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max both run MediaTek's Dimensity 9600 Pro. The standard X500 uses the Dimensity 9600M, which the reports say appears to be a rebranded version of last year's Dimensity 9500. That's a practical distinction for buyers: the chip under the standard model is likely to be a step behind the two Pro models, even though the phones share a series name.
Screen sizes split the lineup. The X500 Pro has a 6.36-inch display, while the Pro Max goes up to 6.85 inches. Both Pro models use 2K LTPO AMOLED panels with a 144Hz refresh rate. The standard X500 has a 6.59-inch AMOLED display, also at 144Hz. If you want a large screen with the top chip, the Pro Max is the only option in the range that combines both.
The cameras differ too. The X500 Pro has a 64-megapixel telephoto and a 50-megapixel ultrawide. The Pro Max swaps in the 200-megapixel periscope. All the models can use the Zeiss telephoto extender, which gives buyers a way to push zoom further, though extenders generally trade some image quality for reach.
Battery life and charging
Battery capacity runs in an unexpected order. The X500 Pro is rated at 6,510mAh, the standard X500 at 7,500mAh, and the Pro Max at 8,000mAh in China. The standard model, then, carries the biggest battery in the three-phone set as reported here, not the Pro models. The spec sheets don't explain why, and I wouldn't guess until we see measured battery results.
All three support 90W wired and 40W wireless charging. Vivo's battery figures can vary by market, so the number on a European or Indian box may not match the Chinese spec above. That matters if you're comparing endurance across regions.
Pricing in Europe and Malaysia
In Europe, the X500 Pro starts at EUR 1,399 (roughly Rs. 1.48 lakh) for the 256GB variant. The Pro Max starts at EUR 1,599 (about Rs. 1.69 lakh) for 256GB, with 512GB at EUR 1,799 (roughly Rs. 1.9 lakh) and 1TB at EUR 2,199 (around Rs. 2.33 lakh). Every European version has 12GB of RAM. The report notes that only the 1TB model is sold through Vivo's European online store, and that a 16GB RAM and 1TB storage combination can be obtained by importing the Chinese version.
Pre-order promotions run until November 30. Pro Max buyers get a camera grip at no extra charge, while Pro buyers receive Headphone Studio headphones. Some discounts on accessories and wearables are also on offer. Treat those as time-limited, and check the terms before you count them in the price.
The standard X500 hasn't reached Europe yet. It is available in selected Southeast Asian markets, including Malaysia, where the 12GB and 256GB version is priced at MYR 4,699 (around Rs. 1.09 lakh).
What the India timing means for buyers
Recent reports say the X500 series is expected in India by the end of November. That's a report, not a confirmed date, so keep it in the "watch this space" category for now. European euro prices won't translate directly into rupee pricing, because import duties, taxes and local storage configurations all shift the final number. If you're interested in the Pro Max specifically, wait for the Indian price and confirmed RAM and storage options before comparing it with rivals.
My practical advice: if you want the 200MP periscope and can wait a few weeks, Indian pricing will tell you whether the Pro Max is worth the premium over the Pro. If you're buying now in Europe, the pre-order bundle is the main reason to act before November 30. Either way, the standard X500's chip and battery mix makes it the most interesting model to check against the Pro once independent tests arrive.
